Renewing The Mind — Part 3
Godlike
Many people are revulsed at the idea of being Godlike.
If a man speaks of being Godlike, he is often met with resistance and declarations of blasphemy.
Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2
Transformed into what?
The image of God!
Why Was The Bible Given; Why Did Yeshua Come?
To reveal God to us!
God wanted a family of sons and daughters to fellowship with him and whom he could shower with love, provision, protection, etcetera.
So he created man in his own image (Genesis 1:26-27)
Man fell through sin, and could no longer fellowship with God because he no longer conformed to God’s image.
Job 40:8
God’s process to restore man back into God’s will required Yeshua’s life, death, and resurrection.
That Which Renews Our Minds
Being reborn through faith in Yeshua’s sacrifice for sin.
Being water baptized.
Being filled with the Holy Spirit.
God’s Ultimate Will, Desire, Plan, And Purpose For You As A Christian Is Not Heaven—
It is to be conformed to the image of Yeshua, his son.
THAT is God’s bull’s eye.
Romans 8:29
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Romans 8:29
We are to be the revealed sons of God.
Being transformed is something God does.
Being conformed is something WE do.
Romans 8:18-23
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
We are to be one in unity, and have the same glory as Yeshua.
John 17:13, 22, 23
And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. John 17:13, 22, 23
1 John 4:12
Perfection of God’s love in us.
1 John 4:17
We should be Yeshua to the world.
1 Corinthians 15:49
We must bear the image of heavenly man in this world.
It is easy to see ourselves as being small.
We need our vision cleared.
1 Corinthians 11:7
Only regenerated man is the image of God.
Be Imitators Of God
It is not heresy to imitate God—it is heresy NOT to.
Romans 8:18-23
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; Ephesians 5:1
The verb, follow, is to mimic — act like.
But here it is used as a noun and therefore means “to be,” or “become.” The tense indicates a decisive act with permanent results.
We need an object, image, vision to imitate.
That is why Yeshua came to earth.
Romans 8:18-23
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2 Corinthians 4:4
Colossians 1:15
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Hebrews 1:3
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
John 14:7-11
If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
John 8:19
Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.
Paul Was Able To Grasp This Revelation
Paul wanted to be a godlike man for his disciples to follow.
Philippians 3:1-19
He says, “Oh, that I may know him.”
He is still seeking—
It is a journey, not a destination.
Verse 17 — imitate (follow) me as I imitate (follow) Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
1 Corinthians 4:16-17
Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
Paul sent Timothy to Corinth to remind them of his ways.
Do you want people reminded of your ways?
Conforming To God’s Ways
This should be done because of an inward motivation, not because of outward restraint.
We should be obedient and do things like pray, love, give, live holy lives, etcetera, not because we are instructed or commanded to do them, but because it is our reborn, renewed, natural behavior.
Not obedient to an external set of rules.
If you are serving God because of fear of going to Hell, or because of a hope of going to heaven, then you are living under the law and not under grace.
The more conformed we become to the image of Yeshua, the more like Yeshua we will act; healing the sick, casting out demons, loving sinners, forgiving those who wrong us.
If it is a strain for you to keep the principles of the Bible, then you are living in a straight jack of restraint, you are not being free in Yeshua.
Paul says:
“For me to live is Christ...” Philippians 1:21
Read Renewing The Mind Part 4
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